President John Dramani Mahama on Friday participated in the nationwide clean-up exercise at Tse Addo in Accra, where he personally joined residents, security personnel and government officials in desilting a roadside gutter as part of efforts to reduce flooding across the country.
Armed with a spade, the President worked alongside volunteers to remove silt and waste from clogged drains, demonstrating his administration’s commitment to improving sanitation and preventing future flood disasters.
The exercise forms part of the government’s two-day National General Cleaning Exercise organised under the Post-Flood Mitigation Committee following the devastating floods that recently affected seven regions across Ghana.
Speaking after participating in the clean-up, President Mahama proposed that Ghana adopts a nationwide monthly clean-up exercise to promote environmental sanitation and reduce the recurring problem of flooding in many communities.
“This will be a continuous exercise, at least once a month. Let us set aside one day for all of us to come out and clean the city and with the help of the waste management company, we will be able to keep this city clean and free of flood,” the President said.
He also praised the level of public participation, noting that residents across Accra had responded positively to the government’s call to take part in the exercise.
According to him, maintaining clean surroundings is a shared responsibility that requires the active involvement of citizens, local authorities and sanitation agencies.
President Mahama further announced that after the community clean-up exercise, personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces and other security agencies would begin dredging major waterways to improve drainage and minimise flooding during future heavy rains.
“I have gone round the city; I have seen the turnout has been very good. After this, the military and other services are going to dredge the main waterway so that these drains can have an outlet,” he stated.
The nationwide campaign is being held under the theme “Our Actions, Our Future: Cleaning Ghana after the floods.” Friday’s activities involved personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), as well as waste management companies.
Members of the public are expected to fully participate in the second phase of the exercise on Saturday, with activities taking place across flood-affected communities in the seven affected regions.
Earlier this week, President Mahama directed all government appointees, including Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), Chief Executive Officers of state institutions and heads of public agencies, to leave their offices and actively participate in the clean-up exercise.
The campaign is focused on desilting blocked drains, clearing refuse from roads, markets, lorry parks, public spaces and other flood-prone areas to improve sanitation and reduce the risk of future flooding.
Government officials say the initiative is intended not only to restore communities affected by the recent floods but also to encourage long-term behavioural change among Ghanaians regarding waste disposal and environmental cleanliness.
The recent flooding caused widespread destruction in parts of southern Ghana, resulting in the loss of lives, damage to properties and displacement of hundreds of residents. Authorities hope the nationwide clean-up campaign, coupled with ongoing drainage improvement works, will strengthen Ghana’s resilience against future flood disasters.
